RN/LPN advice

[Mikayla Smith]

So I graduated with my ADN in December of 2018. I tried 3 different nursing jobs all in different areas (TCU, clinic, hospice) and they all were just too stressful for me. The longest I lasted was in hospice and that was only 2 months. Of course my instructors warned us that nursing is definitely one of the more stressful careers, but I had no idea it would be as stressful as I've experienced. Maybe my anxiety just got the best of me. 

Anyway, I finally found a job at a plasma center and I've been there for over a year. Yeah I get paid well for the easy, very low stress work that I do, but it's not fulfilling to me (plus the management is HORRIBLE and I absolutely dread going to work every day). I tried applying to other RN jobs with no luck (which I'm sort of okay with because I'm extremely nervous to try another RN job with how my previous ones turned out). 

To get to the point, I'm desperate to find another job, so I'm in the process of re-registering my LPN license because I know I'd get a job right away. Does anyone know of anyone else that has their RN license but works as an LPN? I guess I just want to know that I'm not the only one. I feel like a failure as an RN, but I'm just so nervous to try another RN job (I'm not getting hired anywhere anyway). So, I figured I'd go back to working as an LPN for a while and see how that goes. I absolutely LOVED my job as an LPN and I'm to the point where I don't care about the money. Quality of life and happiness is way more important. 

[amoLucia]

Truly, I don't know how viable a decision that might be. As far as professional decision making, you always will be held to the highest standard of your education regardless of whatever position you hold. And that's a BON thing.

Like if something were to occur, you'd be expected to have known and how to respond as an RN, not at an LPN level.

And off point, personally, I wonder how a malpractice insurer would see your position in terms of their issuance of insurance coverage. Would they issue you a policy? IDK

I think you just need to find a position where you can be the professional that you worked so hard to be. Think outside the box. I have a friend who worked administratively in the local office of the Amer Cancer Society. I taught community CPR for a while. Non-traditional roles.

Good luck to you.

[caliotter3]

Frankly I don’t see how working as an LPN could be construed to be any easier or less stressful than working as an RN. Licensed nurse is licensed nurse when something goes wrong and the honchos are placing blame. As a matter of fact, working as an LPN while holding an RN license is asking for a bucketful of increased stress. You will never stop being aware that you have two licenses to protect. If you want another low stress venue, then I suggest you speak to the DPCS at a home care company about extended care for one patient in the home environment. Routine care for stable patients for the most part. You must be OK with an LPN rate of pay though, as many agencies only pay that for LPN level cases. Explain yourself and you will be steered toward the easier cases, at least to start. Once you get used to it, you can see about raising your level of ‘difficulty’. Worth a try.